SEME CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS 3,300 EXPLOSIVE CARTRIDGES, OTHER CONTRABAND WORTH N365.16M
Seme Customs Intercepts 3,300 Explosive Cartridges, Other Contraband Worth ₦365.16m
By Babatunde Aremu
The Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command, has intercepted 3,300 cartridges of explosive materials allegedly smuggled from Ghana, alongside illicit drugs, foreign rice and expired food items with a Duty Paid Value of ₦365.16 million.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Shuaibu Kaila, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Seme, Lagos.
Kaila said the explosives, together with one suspect, had been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for safe custody and further investigation.
He described the interception as a critical national security intervention aimed at preventing dangerous materials from falling into the hands of criminal elements.
“Effective enforcement and efficient trade facilitation are complementary responsibilities. The Command will continue to facilitate legitimate trade while denying smugglers opportunities to undermine the Nigerian economy,” he stated.
Kaila listed other intercepted items to include 1,306 sacks of expired and waste noodles, 50kg each. According to him, intelligence indicated the consignment was meant for repackaging and relabelling before being sold to unsuspecting consumers.
The Command also seized 1,268 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50kg each, smuggled through illegal routes. Kaila said the importation not only denies government revenue but also undermines local rice production and Federal Government agricultural policies.
In the area of narcotics, officers intercepted 373 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 90 packs of Tramaking 250mg, 69 packs of Royal Tapentadol 250mg, and 310,000 sticks of Time/Yes cigarettes.
The CAC said the drugs and unregistered pharmaceutical products would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation.
Other prohibited items seized include one used speedboat, one used water bike and a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser.
On revenue, Kaila said the Command generated ₦19.84 billion between January and July 2026. The figure surpasses the ₦15.94 billion collected in the entire 2025 fiscal year.
He attributed the 24.45 per cent increase to enhanced compliance, improved stakeholder engagement, operational efficiency and intensified anti-smuggling operations.
“The Command remains committed to its dual mandate of revenue generation and trade facilitation while strengthening measures to prevent the movement of prohibited and dangerous goods through our borders,” Kaila added.
